Method and means for yarn and fabric correlation



p 1950 R. M. INGHAM, JR 2,520,936

METHOD AND MEANS FOR YARN AND FABRIC CORRELATION Filed Aug. 6, 1947 f; '3 EH;

Tlq l 3 g 72 ii 1 0:00 W 6 AMPLIFIER MODULATOR -'1 i .55. T 1 INVENTOR Patented Sept. 5, 1950 METHOD AND MEANS FOR YARN AND FABRIC CORRELATION 1 1mm M. mm, In, Clemson, s. 0., alaignor to Deering Milliken Research Trust, Pendlcton, S. 0., a nonprofit trust of Maine Application August 8, 1947, Serial No. 766,737

3 Claims. (Cl. 346-4) The present invention relates primarily, although not exclusively, to the textile art and to that part of the art concerned with yarn manufacture and with the weaving of fabric therefrom. with reference to textiles, the invention is particularly concerned with the correlation between yarn and the appearance of a fabric which could be woven from such yarn. The invention provides a method and a means for correlating the yarn with the fabric that does not depend upon, nor require, actual weaving of the fabric.

Heretoiore, in order to determine the suitability of a particular yarn for weaving, it has always been necessary to actually weave the yarn into fabric on a loom. This involves time and material, both of which are wasted when the fabric is found to be unsatisfactory. It would thus be of great value to the industry to be able to know, without actually going through the weaving process, just how the fabric would ap pear if it were woven. With this information readily available, appearance of satisfactory fabric could be proved prior to the weaving thereof, with consequent reduction, if not elimination, of production of fabric rejects or seconds.

The present invention provides a method and means for substantially obtaining this information. Pictures" substantially simulating the appearance of fabric to be woven from a particular yarn are obtained from measurements and recordings of yarn diameter variations. Banding in fabric results from periodically recurring relatively long term diameter variations in the yarn used as the filling or weft. In accordance with the invention the filling of a fabric weavable from a given yarn is simulated by graphically recording diameter measurements of'lengths of the yarn each equal to one pick of the fabric and then arranging the graphical records in juxtaposed back and forth relation corresponding to the direction of movement of the shuttle of a loom. In this manner, banding or other fault that would occur in a fabric if it were woven with such yarn as a filling can be predetermined. Or if slubby yarn is to be used for a fabric filling, thev invention provides a method whereby the appearance of the fabric filling may be predetermined. Furthermore, the method of the invention can be employed to give a simulation of the warp instead of, or in addition to, the simulation of the filling of a fabric. In the case of warp simulation, the diameter of the yarn to be used as the warp can be continuously measured and graphically recorded and the graphical record of lengths of yarn positioned in parallel rows corresponding to the warp on the loom. The combination of such graphical simulation of the warp with that of the filling yields a picture of the complete fabric.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing of which:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic view of apparatus for obtaining a continuous graphical record of yarn diameter,

Fig. 2 is a view explanatory'of the method of simulating fabric filling from the graphical record produced by the apparatus of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a plan view on a smaller scale of the simulation of fabric filling obtainable by the invention.-

Fig. 4 is a view showing a sample record made by the disclosed apparatus and a sample record made by the prior art devices.

The method of the invention as related to the simulation of fabric filling comprises two steps, first: the obtaining of a continuous record of yarn diameter which has the appearance of a band of width varying in accordance with the diameter of the yarn; equal lengths of the record corresponding to equal lengths of yarn and second: the orienting of lengths of the record each corresponding to the measurement of a length of yarn equal to one pick, in accordance with a fabric filling. As applied to the simulation of the warp of a fabric the method of the invention may involve one or a plurality of steps.

In Fig. 1 is illustrated apparatus suitable for obtaining a continuous graphical record of yarn diameter measurements. In Fig. 1, a drum or reel 2, rotated at constant speed, as by a motor 4, draws yarn. 8 from a supply reel 8 past a yarn diameter metering device. In the. particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, the metering device comprises a photoelectric cell It positioned to receive light from a source i2 after passage through a lens and aperture system It; the yarn 8 passing between the lens system and photo-cell. The photo-cell I0 is connected in series with a resistor is across a battery l1 and the voltage across the resistor, which is thus a measure of yarn diameter, is amplified in amplifier II. The output from amplifier I8 is used to modulate a sixty cycle current in modulator 2! and a pen motor 22 is connected to the modulator 20 so as to respond to the modulated 60-cycle current. Any conventional crystal or magnetic type motor may be employed for pen motor 22. A strip 24 of paper,

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or other material upon which the pen it of motor}! can record, is moved under the pen, as by a motor 28, at a constant speed correlated to that of the travel of the yarn past the metering device; the rate of travel of the strip 24 being such that the individual cycles of the 60-cycle current are not readily distinguishable to the eye, but the modulation is discernable from the envelope of the curve. The record 3| thus made by the pen appears to the eye as a band of varying width, corresponding to the varying thickness of the yarn.

In order to obtain a simulation of fabric filling from the record 30 obtained by the apparatus of Fig. 1, the strip is cut into successive equal lengths, each recording the diameter variation of a length of the yarn equal to one pick on a loom. These strip sections, indicated in Fig.

2 as 24a, 241) etc. are then placed in parallel relation with the beginning of one'section aligned with the final ends of the preceding and succeeding sections corresponding to the travel of the filling yarn in a loom. In Fig. 2 the beginning of each section is indicated at S. the final end at E, and the are through which a section is moved,

after being cut from the strip 24 is indicated by the dashed lines and arrows at the ends of sections 24a and 241). In Fig. 2 the width of the sections relative to their lengths is greatly exaggerated in order to illustrate the method of assembly. In both Figs. 1 and 2 the record 84 of the signal modulated BO-cycle current is shown on an enlarged scale to illustrate the eifect oi' the modulation and show the variations introduced by variations in yarn diameter.

A better idea of the general appearance to the eye of the sections of the strip 24, when arranged as above described, may be obtained from Fig. 3 wherein the transverse lines 3| 'each represent the record In of a separate section of the strip 24. The varying width of the lines ll corresponds to varying yarn diameter and the general appearance of the whole simulates fabric weavable with such yarn as filling.

If the appearance of the warp of a fabric weavable from yarn 6 is to be predetermined, lengths of the record ll may be positioned in parallel relation with the beginning of all the sections in ali nment or consecutive or simultaneous recordings of yarn diameter measurements could be made directly by a plurality of pen motors on a single relatively wide chart or sheet.

The invention has now been described with reference to yarn and fabric weavable therefrom and with reference to one particular apparatus embodying the invention and suitable for obtaining a graphical record of yarn diameter variations for use in practicing the method of the invention. Obviously, the method of the invention as applied to yarn, whereby there is obtained a simulation of fabric weavable from a given yarn, is not dependent upon any particular type of diameter metering or recording device as a variety of means could be employed for obtaining a continuous record of yarn diameter variations that could be used in the practice of the invention. For example. measurements of yarn diameter could be made at spaced distanca along a length of yarn by means of a ga e or a microscope, such measurement could be r rded manually as numerical values, and then, from such values, a simulation of fabric illling such as that of Fig. 3, or a simulation of the warp, or of both warp and filling could be prepared. Thus the method of the invention does not require the employment of automatic metering or recording devices although such devices are preferably employed in the practice of the invention. The invention in its broadest aspects is not limited to yarn and fabric weavable therefrom as the described method and means could be employed to predetermine the appearance of any structure that could be made from filamentary material.

The following is claimed:

1. The method of correlating yarn with the appearance of fabric weavable from the yarn which comprises continuously varying an electrical current in accordance with variations in the diameter of the yarn durlngunidirectional longitudinal travel thereof, modulating an alternating current with said varying current, graphically recording the modulated current, and arrang n qual lengths of the recorded current in parallel relation simulating one of the yarns of a woven fabric.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the equal lengths of recorded current correspond to lengths of yarn each equal to one pick of a fabric and succusive lengths are arranged to simulate a fabric filling.

3. Apparatus for use in graphically portraying the appearance of yarn which comprises means for continuously moving yarn in the direction of its length, a measuring device for producing an electrical current varying in accordance with variations in diameter of yarn moved by said means, means for amplifying the current produced by said device, a source of alternating current, means for modulating current from said source with the amplified varying electrical current and recording means connecting to said modulating means for graphically portraying said modulated current whereby the envelope of the recorded current corresponds with the diameter of the yarn.

ROBERT 'M. INGHAM, J a.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,915204 Bcheibli et al June 20, 1933 2,188,754 Keeler Jan. 30. 1940, 

